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Dove13, sorry your sale wasnt so great. I do find that Christmas shows are so much more profitable! And even then sometimes it takes a few sales (or years) to figure out what sells and what doesn't.
crstnscrappergal, I DO bring something along to work on if it gets slow. However, I stop what I am doing when people are walking around! I hate when people sit there ignoring potential customers! I greet every one with a Good Morning or Hello, and my daughter (who is 10) does as well. Usually you don't get the "Just looking" response. Most folks say hello back. I just think it's nicer that way.
Spring has always disappointed me so I stopped trying.
I do one very small craft fair at the beginning of my xmas season. I never make much but use it as my trial-run for setting up my booth for the bigger shows, and taking note of what I have forgotten (signs, display stuff).
I think it is very useful.
I have heard that there are a few places around here that if you dont do their spring show, they dont allow you to do their Christmas one. But I havent come across any of that with the shows I do.
I did my first festival and was terrified because of the amount of people that actually go. 50-60,000 in a small town.
It was my first and though I had fun, making money did not happen. However the experience was great. I did take note of a few things that I could've done differently. The spot I was in was not all the great either. Location wise. I would do a few more just with a different partner or by myself.... maybe
I have posted on my blog (click the link below in blue) about it and have pics. Please check it out and leave me a comment if you think I should try again.
If you like the shabby chic definitely check it out.
Oh, I LOVE the cork key chains and the ribbon bookmarks! The pin cushions are divine, and I am NOT a sewer, but would have bought it anyway! Sorry you didn't do well. Try a different venue because your crafts are beautiful.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2busyscrappin
I did my first festival and was terrified because of the amount of people that actually go. 50-60,000 in a small town.
It was my first and though I had fun, making money did not happen. However the experience was great. I did take note of a few things that I could've done differently. The spot I was in was not all the great either. Location wise. I would do a few more just with a different partner or by myself.... maybe
I have posted on my blog (click the link below in blue) about it and have pics. Please check it out and leave me a comment if you think I should try again.
If you like the shabby chic definitely check it out.
__________________ Ink on Skin, Ink on Paper...
...It's all the same smell!
Thanks! (giggle)... I thought well shabby chic will always be around because of Marie Antoniette and histories French taste...its so popular that I got right into it.
I did get a lot of oooo's and awweeee's but the location was at the beginning of where the festival started and all those who were excited and said they'd come back didn't. It was big and getting to the where the entertainment was...well need I say more lol. :rolleyes:
The cork key chains were a first, and the pin cushions.
The pin cushions were what I got the most "wow this is handmade!"
Some people didn't even know the wine corks were keychains. I should've had something to hang them on instead...
Quote:
Originally Posted by tat2girl
Oh, I LOVE the cork key chains and the ribbon bookmarks! The pin cushions are divine, and I am NOT a sewer, but would have bought it anyway! Sorry you didn't do well. Try a different venue because your crafts are beautiful.
Thanks! (giggle)... I thought well shabby chic will always be around because of Marie Antoniette and histories French taste...its so popular that I got right into it.
I did get a lot of oooo's and awweeee's but the location was at the beginning of where the festival started and all those who were excited and said they'd come back didn't. It was big and getting to the where the entertainment was...well need I say more lol. :rolleyes:
The cork key chains were a first, and the pin cushions.
The pin cushions were what I got the most "wow this is handmade!"
Some people didn't even know the wine corks were keychains. I should've had something to hang them on instead...
I looked at your blog yesterday and your pieces are beautiful. I was thinking signage. People need to be told how to use something - what it is and who to buy it for. Also your signage needs to be appropriate for your booth. I don't want to see neon pow signs on your vintage booth. Maybe vintage picture frames with readable calligraphy to keep setting the tone.
Thanks! (giggle)... I thought well shabby chic will always be around because of Marie Antoniette and histories French taste...its so popular that I got right into it.
I did get a lot of oooo's and awweeee's but the location was at the beginning of where the festival started and all those who were excited and said they'd come back didn't. It was big and getting to the where the entertainment was...well need I say more lol. :rolleyes:
The cork key chains were a first, and the pin cushions.
The pin cushions were what I got the most "wow this is handmade!"
Some people didn't even know the wine corks were keychains. I should've had something to hang them on instead...
I looked at your blog yesterday and your pieces are beautiful. I was thinking signage. People need to be told/shown how to use something - what it is and who to buy it for. Also your signage needs to be appropriate for your booth. I don't want to see neon pow signs on your vintage booth. Maybe vintage picture frames with readable calligraphy to keep setting the tone.
"Book marks to add to a gift card to make it special" etc.
and maybe business cards with one of the pictures of your crafts as the background (or a unique border/embellishment) as a visual reminder to people of what your booth offers and how to contact you.
Wow! I'm hiring you on marketing...lol...... I never would've thought of some of the ideas you just threw out there.
I'm writing this down as we speak..
Quote:
Originally Posted by RiverIsis
I looked at your blog yesterday and your pieces are beautiful. I was thinking signage. People need to be told/shown how to use something - what it is and who to buy it for. Also your signage needs to be appropriate for your booth. I don't want to see neon pow signs on your vintage booth. Maybe vintage picture frames with readable calligraphy to keep setting the tone.
"Book marks to add to a gift card to make it special" etc.
and maybe business cards with one of the pictures of your crafts as the background (or a unique border/embellishment) as a visual reminder to people of what your booth offers and how to contact you.
I agree with others. Signage and prices. A lot of people won't ask a price but if they see it as reasonable, they may buy.
Non-crafting people don't speak "craft". They need to know what things are cuz they just don't know! lol
I agree with others. Signage and prices. A lot of people won't ask a price but if they see it as reasonable, they may buy.
Non-crafting people don't speak "craft". They need to know what things are cuz they just don't know! lol
Yep, it's like that old addage "you can lead a horse to water etc"... you can lead a crafter to your table with your display.... but you have to tell them (subtly) why they should buy.;)
Definitely SIGNAGE! And as others have said....not just the price, but also signage giving them ideas of what things can be used for. I create signs and place them around my displays that say things like
Great gifts for:
Co-workers
Teachers
Friends
Family
Sunday School Teacher
Hair Stylist
Mailman
Secret Santa
Stocking Stuffers
ANYONE YOU KNOW!
This gives them ideas as to WHO they need to possibly remember during the holidays. It sort of jogs their memory. I've made more sales this way as they will read the sign and say "Oh Yeah! My hairstylist would love this!"
I also like to package my items so that they don't get dirty from people handling them but I always try to leave an example out of packaging so that they can see and touch the product. They will then know whether the closure on that notepad is velcro or magnet, that it's easy to use, etc. Don't forget to have the sample out ready to go too with the packaging because inevitably, that's the one someone always wants!
I think "deals" always make people go for it. We all know we are that way too....a set price on one then a break if they buy 2. Like When I want $5 for something and that's my lowest price, I will have a single item for $6 or 2 for $10. Many people will then go for the 2 for $10 and I am still getting my original $5 I needed to make out of it but I've also sold an extra one.
I have been working on pre-making tag toppers or cut paper pieces for the food items. That way, when it comes time to package them, I am not also pulling out my trimmer and choosing paper, etc.
I have preprinted some of the snowman chocolate bar wrappers and precut fleece for the hats also.
Diane, I do this too. And cut wrappers for my mini candy bars and make the tags and put them in the cello bags and have them ready to go when I can get the candy. It saved me a bunch of time last year. And last year my peppermint patties didn't sell as well as years before so I am nixing those this year, which will save a bunch of time!
Trying to get some ideas for new candy items, too and writing poems for those items. Boy, these craft fairs are a lot of year round work! LOL
I had skipped peppermint patties in 2012 so did them in 2013. They were popular but are alot of work. I was thinking about maybe doing some of the individual patties to sell. I have seen people make them in snowman faces.
Not sure yet.
I have done the M&M stix for many years now and they always sell.. but in lesser amounts each year. I will probably still do some this year.
Diane I made a few of Qbee's Hershey kiss trees 2 years ago, and sold out rather quickly. This past year I believe I made 40 and sold every one of them. I charged $3 a piece, and people bought multiples. :-) They did take a while to make, but in the end I felt it was worth it!
I will make mine Christmas themed but these are all some of the ideas I would like to try to make.
I also want to make Host and Hostess boxes from some clear card boxes I bought ages ago and still have some left. I was planning on doing some to look like Santa's coat and some to look like Mrs. Claus' dress and fill them with a bag of microwave popcorn, hot chocolate, marshmallow bag, tea packets, coffee packets, chocolates, etc. I am writing poems for them. Figured they would make cute little gifts to give to a host or hostess during the holiday season.
I'm also going to make some "healthier" options this year by making a treat that will hold a packet of the mixed nuts, chocolates, raisins, etc that you can buy at Sams. I am going to call them Elf Food and Reindeer food and write poems for them and decorate the packaging I make to look like an Elf or Reindeer.
Those are some of the ideas I have...jeesh! I better get started!
Right now I am making cupcake pincushion rings, which are turning out totally cute!!
Diane I made a few of Qbee's Hershey kiss trees 2 years ago, and sold out rather quickly. This past year I believe I made 40 and sold every one of them. I charged $3 a piece, and people bought multiples. :-) They did take a while to make, but in the end I felt it was worth it!
I thought about making those but they looked like too much work! LOL
What I ended up doing with my kisses was doing the whisk thing, which sold out fast and was super easy. Its where you fill the inside of a whisk with hershey kisses and make a tag that says "We Whisk You A Merry Kissmas!" At Walmart they had a 3 pack of small, medium and large whisks for $2.97 that I plan on doing this time around so I can have 3 different size/price options. I still bought some of the single larger whisks too. They are 97 cents.
I made 30 of the hershey kiss trees last year. They took a very long time to make, so I won't be doing them again, although they did sell at $3each. So many steps! Then the packaging. I put them in cellophane bags with a topper. I think I have pics on my facebook page.
I thought about making those but they looked like too much work! LOL
What I ended up doing with my kisses was doing the whisk thing, which sold out fast and was super easy. Its where you fill the inside of a whisk with hershey kisses and make a tag that says "We Whisk You A Merry Kissmas!" At Walmart they had a 3 pack of small, medium and large whisks for $2.97 that I plan on doing this time around so I can have 3 different size/price options. I still bought some of the single larger whisks too. They are 97 cents.
Oh yes, we did the whisks one year. My daughter made them up for me and i did the sentiment on the computer and tied up the bows. We had gotten red and green whisks, plastic ones at Ms on clearance for 50 cents each. We did all we had...a total of 12 I think and they sold out within the first couple of hours. We sold them for $3 or 2/$5. I keep looking for more of the whisks...But I like Walmart's option also. :-) Picture here: http://ginathorntonstamping.blogspot.com/search?q=whisk
We also do spa sock cupcakes. Socks on clearance at Ms for at most 60 cents. sell for $3 or 2/$5. I traces a wawa hot beverage holder onto heavy patterned paper, then cut out and used my hot glue gun to adhere. Pictures here: Gina's Stamping Creations: Search results for spa sock
I made 30 of the hershey kiss trees last year. They took a very long time to make, so I won't be doing them again, although they did sell at $3each. So many steps! Then the packaging. I put them in cellophane bags with a topper. I think I have pics on my facebook page.
If so, those are made with the Stampin Up Tag Topper punch (or whatever it is called). It is a newer punch from SU. Its kind of pricey, so I went and looked at what I could make with it to make it worthy buying it and found quite a few things I could make. It seems like it will make some really cute things and make them easier for craft fair prep. I have already made cute little mini post-it note pads with them and plan on doing these suckers, too.
My craft fair idea pinterest board has other ideas for it too. I needed many ways I could use it to justify $30 for a punch!!
Gina....CAAA-UTE!! I love both the whisks and the socks and the trees! All really cute and wonderful ideas. =)
I keep wanting do do the socks but I can never find them on clearance like y'all seem to find. I like to get my stuff cheap if I can, too.
I am looking for a novel way to package hand sanitzer for Christmas craft sales. Does anyone have any idea they are willing to share. Thank you in advance.
Linda
I think Inkin' Idaho has a tutorial on her blog for those top die note/bag thingies. They have been on my to do list for a long time - they are adorable I think!
this link will get you to the search for her site (again for some reason I cannot cut and past - at work - directly to the project!) but put that in your search and on the right side you will see candy purse, click on that and it brings to the directions. I love her site.
OK, so I figured out that those purses are mini purses with the ordinary top note die. I though she had found a way to make the die look lengthened.
Although, I could probably make it larger with my new Brother ScannCut machine.
Most folks say hello back. I just think it's nicer that way. 
